Page 195 - PPL-engelsk 2025

Human Performance

2.7.3.4 Attention level

Attention is closely linked to external factors (what is happening in the

environment), but psychological factors such as mood, motivation, priorities,

and interests also influence attention.

Similarly, the attention level can regulate the following factors:

- The tonic level, also known as alertness, which, especially in the first part

of the day, when combined with sustained attention, enables one to

complete activities that require prolonged duration.

- A surprising and sudden change in alertness due to things in the

environment (e.g., if someone suddenly enters the room where one is

relaxing, or if there is a loud bang outside the window) is called a physical

alarm.

Depending on how important the change is, it may last for a shorter or

longer period.

- It may interrupt the activity one is engaged in. If what is happening is not

important, the mental inhibition mechanism allows one to quickly focus

again on the task at hand.

The ability to easily activate, interrupt, and reactivate attention is a central

aspect of attentional flexibility and is crucial when one has to handle new or

different tasks than what one usually does.

Being able to control one’s attention is an extremely important ability in many

everyday situations.

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